A/N: The world of Exile (Avernum) remains the property of Jeff Vogel and Spiderweb Software, not me. I promise to return to the game unharmed the following persons: Scab, Glantris-Bok, Prossis-Bok, Elohi-Bok, Sera, Zalav-Ta, Partam, Taho, Aeon, Vine, Aristo, Tokor-Te, Ortala-Te, and Gnee; and places: Purgatory, Tower of Magi, Olgai, Avit, Mancuso, and Gaddika's fortwhen I've finished this bit of fun.
Leaving Dharmon and the more ominous presence of the heavy fighting of the war behind, Jenneke led his patrol back across the Great Cave, during which journey they decided it would be best if they went to the vahnatai lands and presented the evidence they had encountered before attempting to meet with Pyrn. Along the way, they saw a small cavern with a rough fence and a sign proclaiming the territory to be "Purgatory" where those from the Abyss were welcome, but none of the Avernites.
"I don't think I understand," said Adrianna.
"Well, the Abyss was kinda Exile in Exile," said Feodoric. "Some of the people just didn't want to be part of the nation we were building here, and so they settled or got sent to settle in the area called the Abyss. Strange sense of humor."
"Hey, remember those folks wandering around Blosk?" said Jenneke. "Let's go check this place out so we can tell them about it."
Coming nearer, they could see a motley assortment of humans, sliths, and nephilim guarding the stone fence blocking the way to the cavern, clearly ready for battle if need be. A young, muscular woman walked out and motioned Jenneke to approach.
"They could just want to pincushion us," said Nigel.
"Yeah, then run," said Jenneke, taking Adrianna's hand, and walking closer to the woman.
She said, "My name's Janis. We're all refugees from the Abyss in here, and we've decided to defend ourselves if the end comes to this cave. You can come in. We want to be good neighbors. But don't cause any trouble. We're tougher than we look."
"Understood," said Jenneke, and he motioned to the rest of the patrol to join them.
As they walked through the narrow gate in the fence, the guards gave the group looks that showed they were not particularly thrilled to have missed the opportunity for a good fight. Within the cavern, there were many small, crude huts built about, and when they reached one, a man came out and invited them inside.
"Name's Scab," he said, "got some goods maybe you might be interested in looking over. You're fighting against Empire, and I hate 'em worse than you, so if selling to you helps get rid of them, then it's all good."
After haggling over a few goods, trading away some of their excess war spoils, Jenneke thanked Scab and they left Purgatory.
"They're all right," said Jenneke, "I don't blame 'em for being sore ... war's been tougher on them than anywhere's else."
They reached the Tower of Magi, and came around to a room marked with the sign "Unidentified Portal To Vahnatai Lands. Authorized Personnel Only."
"I guess we're authorized," said Jenneke. "Now, Dree, stick close with us, and after we get there, we'll go up to Avit and see if you can do that Ritual of Welcome they put us through."
"Ritual of welcome?" said Adrianna.
"Yeah, makes it so they recognize you as an ally," said Jenneke. "Until then, we'll just explain you're with us."
"Think they'll want to scry?" said Nigel.
"I don't think so," said Jenneke, "they were just trying to get to who took those souls ... That's been answered, and besides, we got that other stuff to discuss."
They stepped into the room and through the portal, and Adrianna looked around in amazement at the mosaic tiles of the floor and the crystalline beauty of the place.
Arm around her waist, Jenneke opened the door, and led the way out of the arrival room. The three members of the Council were at the table, and looked up at their entry.
"We have news," said Jenneke, pulling out the information they'd recovered from Limoncelli's fort. "Now, we believe this Fort Pyrog is the same as the lair that used to belong to Pyrog."
Glantris took the documents, scanning it carefully, and then he said, "Pyrog has been slain? Nobody will mourn. Now that we know Jekknol-Bok is there, we can plan on getting her out."
Glantris called for an assistant, who ran off and returned with many ancient maps, flaking at the gentlest touch.
"The lair will be heavily guarded, but look here ..." said Glantris. He indicated a narrow tunnel heading from the water to the back of Pyrog's cave. "If you took a boat around the back of Pyrog's cave to the north, you can find this secret passage and enter the fortress from the rear. The passage will be well hidden, and the old lizard's traps may still be there. Still, it seems the easiest way to slip in and get the Crystal Soul."
"Brother Michael, you got all that marked down?" said Jenneke. "I think I know how we'll get there, but we'll want to check over some other maps back home." He smiled, and said, "More recent ... need to compare."
"If only someone could be found to rescue Jekknol," said Glantris as the three members of the Council looked at the group hopefully. "The rewards would be great."
"We will try," said Jenneke. "We got into and out of one Empire fort to get this information, I'm sure we can succeed with the other."
They left the Council chamber then, and Olgai, making their way to Avit, where Sera gladly showed Adrianna how to complete the ritual of welcoming, and then, deciding to follow up on a hunch, they began to follow the road to Mancuso.
"This place is beautiful," said Adrianna.
"Yeah, it's kinda strange," said Jenneke, "but once you get used to it, it's ... living, I guess. Kind of like the surface."
"Why is so much in ruin?" she asked.
"Well, they hibernate," said Jenneke, "and it seems they just woke up, so they're fixing everything fell down while they were out, and haven't gotten most of it done yet."
In one ruined village with only one intact road running through it, they met with a lone, aged vahnatai who beckoned them to visit.
"Welcome aliens. I have heard of your arrival," he said. "I am Zalav-Ta. I have been hoping you would come and visit me here. Tell me of yourselves and your journey."
For some time, Jenneke told about the travels, while Zalav-Ta seemed reluctant to share about what the vahnatai customs were like, until finally Jenneke said, "I would wish to learn more about your people."
"I am honored that you wish to learn of us. The honorific Ta following my name means I am a learned one, a teacher," said Zalav-Ta. "If you wish to receive lessons of my people, I would be honored to give them."
"We would like that very much," said Jenneke.
At long last, they took their leave and continued along the remnants of the old road, passing long rows of young mushrooms of a variety that made humans mildly ill, but were apparently a significant part of the vahnatai diet. They entered Mancuso, which showed evidence of having been thrown up quickly, without much care at all. Walls were bent at strange angles, some were already crumbling, the lone street narrow and cramped.
"This is unlike other vahnatai towns," said Michael. "I wonder why."
A vahnatai girl walked up to them, staring curiously.
"Hello, what's your name?" said Jenneke.
She stepped back several steps and said, "I'm Partam."
"Are you playing?" said Adrianna.
"Ummm..." she looked around and said, "I was chasing Taho. I think he's a liar."
"Who's Taho?" said Nigel.
"He's my friend," replied Partam with a roll of the eyes, "but he's silly."
"Why would you call him a liar?" asked Jenneke.
"He said he saw some humans once! Not you, others," she said and shook her head. "I'm going to catch him and make him admit he was lying."
"Do you remember what he said about the other humans?" said Jenneke.
"Oh, I didn't pay attention! He was being too silly!" said Partam. "You should ask him about it. Then beat him up!" She gave a wicked smile.
"Sure," said Jenneke, feeling uncomfortable. "Have a good day, then."
They continued along the narrow street, seeing more evidence of hasty construction, when they noticed a vahnatai boy watching them.
"What's your name?" said Jenneke.
The boy backed away, whispering, "Taho."
"Come over here," said Adrianna, "we'd like to talk to you."
He made a hand gesture, then started to run.
"Hey, what was that gesture for?" said Nigel.
"Look, we know who you are, Taho," said Jenneke, "and what you saw."
He looked surprised, but said nothing.
"I believe you did see some humans," said Jenneke.
His eyes lit up, and he ran over, and said, "You know about it? I saw some humans in the silo. I did! They talked to some vahnatai. I saw it. You should believe me."
"We do believe you," said Jenneke.
"Nobody else does," said Taho looking offended. "Nobody. But I saw it, with these eyes!" He pointed at his eyes for emphasis.
"We do believe you," said Jenneke. "Where's the silo?"
"That way," he said, pointing to the southeast corner of the town, and then he ran off.
"Curious," said Jenneke, staring after the child. "I think we'll have to look into that silo."
Moving into the silo, they saw all sorts of farming tools and supplies—bags and barrels of mushroom spores and dried lichen, fertilizing pastes, and tools. Searching about, they found one small crystal box with its lid off, scorch marks along the sides.
"Hey, look here," said Jenneke. "Someone was burning stuff ... I think ..."
"This scrap has a few words on it," said Michael, pulling out a small fragment. "Empire is ... can't make that out, and then Gnee took the key. He is hiding in ... I don't know where. It doesn't say."
"Who is Gnee?" said Jenneke.
"Who knows?" said Nigel, shrugging. "We could go around and ask, but that's probably not the best way."
"Maybe that council would have some idea," said Adrianna.
"I'd rather have something more definite," said Jenneke, and he said, "Brother Michael, why don't you keep that bit, and let's move on."
In the fields, a vahnatai woman was planting a row of mushrooms, all while wearing a large wave blade. Seeing the platoon, she stood, wiped her hands, and said, "I am Aeon."
"You're a farmer?" said Jenneke.
"I plant and tend my crops," she said, and looked down at the waveblade, "and defend them if necessary."
"Looks like a fine crop," said Nigel.
"It's a lot of work, but," she gestured to the rows of mushrooms, "I'm proud to have created all this."
"Do you just grow mushrooms?" asked Feodoric.
"Mushrooms now, lichen later," she said, patting her stomach in a gesture of anticipation.
"So, who do you defend the crops from?" said Jenneke.
"From hydras and brigands," replied Aeon. "Hydras from the south, sometimes from the north, brigands from the north. I'm getting good with this thing."
"That's a nice weapon," said Jenneke.
"It's necessary. Hydras are about, and they move fast," said Aeon.
"We love to help people with their problems," said Adrianna.
"Really? Well, there's some hydras in the north tunnels. Four or five of them. The normal sort, not the fire or ice breathers," said Aeon. "If you have nothing else to do, I would really appreciate it if you killed them."
"We can probably swing up thataway," said Jenneke. "We just gotta do a bit of business in town here first. Thanks for talking with us."
They moved back into the town, and came to a place called "Vine's Inn" where a stocky vahnatai female was holding a crystal pitcher.
She greeted them, "I am Vine. Welcome to my inn."
"What services can you provide for a tired traveler?" asked Jenneke.
"I run this inn. It's bit rough now, but it'll be the biggest in this cave someday," replied Vine. "A room is ten coins, a drink two. Good fluid, prepared fresh from Aeon's fields."
"Why is Mancuso so rough?" said Michael. "It seems like it collapse at any moment."
"Mancuso is a bit rough now, but we're building quickly. Not much longer now, I suspect. It's dangerous out there. Brigands, hydras. We needed to get defenses as quickly as possible."
"We'll take a round of drinks," said Jenneke.
She brought to them several bowls of clear, bitter fluid which produced an odd feeling—not quite like being drunk, but definitely a form of intoxication.
"Thank you for the drinks," said Jenneke when he again felt capable of walking without staggering.
They moved on up the street to Aristo's supply shop, where a vahnatai with a sour expression was sitting at the table looking at a ledger.
"Oh, hello, aliens," he said. "I am Aristo. How may I help you?"
"What've you got for sale here?" said Jenneke.
Aristo grunted and wriggled in some apparent discomfort, and said, "I sell supplies and food. You could buy some if you want," he stopped and belched. "Don't have much, because of the brigands. I really wish I had some learning crystals, but I don't."
"What is a learning crystal?" said Adrianna.
"Ah, powerful magic, made by wizards. Small blue crystals you look in which teach you spells or skills. Very prized," said Aristo. "Very expensive. Great profit. When everything is rebuilt, the wizards will start making them again."
"Crystals like that have been found in Avernum," said Feodoric.
"Not surprising. Vahnatai lived up there years ago. They probably lost some, and you found them. Lucky you."
"So, tell us about this brigand problem," said Jenneke.
"There's a fort to the north, in the chasm tunnels, filled with thieves and raiders. They were here when we started building the town. We let the Council know about them, but nothing's been done," said Aristo. "They're too busy worrying about other things to care for us."
"You know anything about the tunnels to the north?" said Jenneke.
"Not much," said Aristo with a shrug. "If you go up there, watch your step. There are chasms everywhere."
"Are there many brigands?" said Nigel.
"Yes, sirree. That's why this town is so shoddily built," said Aristo. "We had to put it up quickly to have someplace to defend in case we are attacked."
After they'd gone, Adrianna said, "Was it just my imagination, or was he uncommonly rude?"
"I'd say he was uncommonly rude," said Jenneke. "Tokor-Te's Magics ... probably a good stop before looking into hydras and brigands."
They stepped in, and a vahnatai man was chanting over a long, delicate waveblade which was gently glowing. When he stopped chanting upon their entry, the glow faded.
"Good day, I am Tokor-Te," he said. "Welcome to my humble shop. I am also the leader of this humble town."
"What's that you're doing?" said Nigel.
"I run this extremely humble shop," he said, giving a look of distaste to the shoddy, crumbling walls. "I offer training in the magical arts, and I am also skilled with weaponry."
"You can teach us to be better in battle?" said Jenneke.
Tokor-Te stood, and gave a demonstration of his agility, and said, "I can help you move like this, if you wish."
"Please do," said Jenneke. "It would be most helpful in our endeavors."
"I would like to," he said, giving them a shrewd look, "but I am very distracted by our village's problems. There are certain responsibilities which weigh heavily on me."
"There's something you wish for us to do for you?" said Jenneke, suppressing a sigh.
"To the north, there is a fort filled with rogue vahnatai. They are led by a sinister blademaster named Gaddika. They are causing us many problems," said Tokor-Te. "Slay Gaddika, and I will reward you as best I can."
"Why did the vahnatai to the north turn on you?" asked Adrianna.
"We don't know. We vahnatai are not fractious and greedy like you aliens. It is very strange that they turned on us," said Tokor-Te. "I have only heard one rumor, but it seems too bizarre to be believed."
"We've heard lots of strange things in our travels," said Jenneke. "Try us."
"I have heard that the rogue vahnatai believe that we should not listen to the Crystal Souls. They think that the leadership and wisdom of the Crystal Souls is not needed. I do not believe it. For a vahnatai to believe this ..." said Tokor-Te. "It is not possible."
"Thank you," said Jenneke, "such rumors may prove useful. Thank you for your time."
Jenneke led the way out of Mancuso, and into the chasm tunnels to the north. Looking over the edge, it was quickly apparent why the area had such a name, and then, turning a corner, they came upon a rather well-fed looking pack of hydras.
"Wonder if those are the ones Aeon was having trouble with," said Nigel.
"Likely," said Jenneke. "I'm sure killing them doesn't hurt."
"But the meat issss good for our journeyssss," said Thissa.
They continued on, and a growing sense of unease came over the group.
"Thingsss are too quiet," observed Thissa.
"You're right," agreed Jenneke, "do your best to keep your heads down, everyone."
They moved on, feeling the occasional sense of oppressive evil and being watched, yet there were no confrontations as they moved from ledge to ledge, and they came to a ledge with a heavy lichen and fungi cover, and across the chasm, a fortress could be seen.
"Wonder how we get over there?" said Adrianna. "Might be the brigand's place."
"Backtrack," said Jenneke. "There've been concealed ways into so many tunnels, we must have missed one when we weren't searching so closely."
Searching the cave walls along where they had already traveled, they finally found a way to a narrow ledge which ran around the east of the large fortress. A few vahnatai, whose clothing, even at this distance, was clearly ragged, wandered into the fortress.
"They're sure out a ways," said Jenneke. "Must be those brigands they've been talking about."
Carefully edging around, they found their way hopelessly blocked by a lock that had Nigel beside himself in frustration.
"I bet we need to find Gnee, whoever that is," said Jenneke.
"Why don't we look around Olgai?" said Feodoric. "If nothing else, we can go back up and try to get into Fort Pyrog from there."
"Fine," said Jenneke, and in frustration, he led the way back through Mancuso, and then to Olgai.
Once in Olgai again, they went to the barracks, hoping to talk with some of the everyday vahnatai rather than only the leaders. Here, they met another vahnatai, polishing and sharpening razordisks and waveblades.
"Hello, may we speak with you?" said Jenneke.
"I am Ortala-Te," he said, "I am the guardmaster of Olgai, and I don't have time to deal with humans, guests or not. Why don't you find one of us who is interested in you?"
"Don't much care for us, huh?" said Jenneke.
"I don't trust you. I don't want to speak to you," replied Ortala-Te. "Some of us do trust you. Go bother them."
"Who would you suggest?" said Jenneke.
"Fools like Gnee. He's been wandering around saying how interesting humans are. He said something about their Empire once. Go ask him about it," said Ortala-Te, "I'm sure he'd love to talk to you." Ortala-Te then shifted position to return to his work in a clear message of 'this conversation is over'.
"Thanks," said Jenneke, and he closed the door.
"Gnee? Did you hear that?" said Nigel. "He must be around here somewheres."
"Yeah, and what's more, he's apparently friendly to Empire," said Jenneke. "Much as I feel I'll need to puke later, I think we need to pretend we are, too."
Moving around Olgai, they found one alley in which an unusually bulky vahnatai was leaning against the wall, and he gestured for them to come closer.
"I'm Gnee," he said, watching them carefully.
"Why are you back here?" said Jenneke.
"I'm interested in humans," he said, speaking quietly, a nervous tic making his face twitch.
"Why are you interested in us?" asked Jenneke in an exaggeratedly calm manner.
He leaned close to them, and said, "There are lots of interesting sorts of humans. I love hearing about the different tribes of humans. What tribes they are from." He was watching, the tic spasming across his face again.
"I'm from the Empire," said Jenneke, "on the surface."
"Good," he said, and the tic got worse. "I thought you'd never get here. I left a key for you in Avit. In a tree behind the barracks," and he stopped looking around. "now go. I'll be suspected if I'm seen talking too much to humans."
"Why? Are you doing something wrong talking to us?" said Adrianna.
"I said what I needed to say, now go," he said.
"Yeah, we'll be going," said Jenneke.
As soon as they were out of the alley, Jenneke said, "Now, I gotta find me a bar and get a good drink to get the taste of saying that outta my mouth, then we better hustle to Avit."
Getting the drink, Jenneke then led the way back to Avit, and they squeezed behind the barracks, where they found a fungal tree with a hole in its side, and in there, an elongated piece of iron with some odd protrusions.
"I think this is the key," said Jenneke.
"Never seen any that looked like that," said Nigel. "No wonder I couldn't pick it."
"Well, let's get back and see if it works," said Jenneke, "otherwise, I'm kinda stuck for ideas."
Making their way back, the key proved to work, and they made their way in, finding themselves almost immediately under attack, and they slowly moved from room to room, finding hostile vahnatai around every corner until they suddenly came into an area with human furniture, and populated by humans. Moments of wonder quickly fled, as the humans there began to attack, and they soon recognized their appearance as being that of Empire, rather than Avernite.
Searching through the rooms, in the chambers where a wizard had lived, they found a journal by the leader of the the expedition, detailing two years of dealing with the rebel vahnatai clan.
"They're heretics to the vahnatai," said Jenneke, "and it sounds like those rumors Tokor-Te was talking about are true. Believe that Crystal Souls aren't sacred and shouldn't be created anymore or obeyed."
"That'll go over well," said Michael.
"Empire spies stole three Crystal Souls, but they wouldn't let this guy know where they took them to," said Jenneke, "but he says here 'Gaddika has papers saying where a soul was taken. Claimed to have information which would help to break it. Asked to see the papers, but no luck."
"Interesting," said Adrianna. "So, where did this idea come from, do you suppose?"
"Who knowssss?" said Thissa. "Even vahnatai do not alwayssss ssssee sssame waysss. We find and kill Gaddika, make people in Mancussso happy."
"And in Olgai, I'm sure," said Jenneke. "Gaddika's the one they named in the stuff we found in Dolthar."
Moving carefully through the fortress, they fought room by room, hoping that the rooms were not built in a circle such that more of these rogue vahnatai might come behind and entrap them. At last, they came to the room where Gaddika himself was apparently holding court with others who had allied with him, and despite their better numbers, the fight was so fierce that Jenneke was holding onto life by a bare thread as Thissa's two-tined spear pierced through from gut to spine, felling Gaddika at last.
As the rogue vahnatai leader fell dead, the torc fell to the floor rolling for a few moments before coming to rest.
"Jenneke!" said Adrianna.
"It'll be all right," said Michael, moving closer to Jenneke, hand on the sergeant's chest as he chanted a prayer and Jenneke regained a look of health.
"Don't worry, Dree," said Jenneke, "I can't leave ya."
"Look at this," said Nigel, turning the torc over in his hands. "Empire."
"Must have been a gift from Empire for services rendered," said Jenneke in disgust.
"At least, we have denied them their ally," said Adrianna. "And General Limoncelli, between these two, we have done much damage to their dealings."
"I'd call that a good day's work," said Nigel.
"Yeah, let's see if we can find those papers the other guy mentioned," said Jenneke.
Searching through the now empty fortress, they at last came to a cabinet filled with vellum of the sort that only came from the surface.
"They're written in both languages," said Jenneke, passing around a few documents to others to try to speed the reading.
"Oh shit," said Nigel. "This is all about an alliance that they made—Empire and this outfit."
"Lots of records," said Adrianna. "Supplies, information, spells ..."
"Check this out," said Jenneke, "That Gaddika was calling himself a Bok. And here's a letter from Garzahd."
"Garzahd himself?" said Adrianna.
"Yeah, thanking Gaddika for his help in getting three intact Crystal Souls ..." said Jenneke.
"Got a map here," said Thissa. "Ornotha Zzziggurat. Caffren wasss brought here, in note, sssee?"
"Powers may be very useful?" said Jenneke. "Damn it!"
"Well, on the bright side," said Michael, "that proves beyond doubt who took the souls. No idea about the last one, but I'm sure the vahnatai will be interested. We've now got solid leads on two of the three."
"And not the slightest clue about the third," said Jenneke. "All right, let's get back to Olgai and show them this shit and then we'll go back to Avernum and into Fort Pyrog."
Despite the victory over Gaddika, there was a very somber mood hanging over the group as they trudged back through the chasm caves toward Mancuso.
Once there, they went back to Tokor-Te's shop.
Jenneke said, "We did what you asked. We have slain Gaddika."
Tokor-Te nodded, and said. "You have done a good deed for us. It does not matter why those vahnatai went rogue. They were a threat to tranquility. They were without honor. They got their due. And in return, I have a reward for you." He moved to a cabinet and presented Jenneke with a small blue crystal. "This is a learning crystal. Stare within its depths, and it will give you knowledge."
"Thank you," said Jenneke. "Could you teach us those fighting skills now?"
"Yes," replied Tokor-Te, "my worries are less, and you deserve such rewards."
After talking with Tokor-Te, they went back to the fields where Aeon was planting.
"Thought you'd like to know, we killed the hydras in the northern tunnels," said Jenneke.
"Did you? Oh, that was really very nice of you. I greatly appreciate it. It will be much easier to raise our crops now," she said, and thought for a moment before continuing. "I wish I could reward you, but, well, I am but a poor farmer. Thanks again, adventurers, and good luck to you."
"Thank you," said Jenneke. "Really, it wasn't a problem. Helped us stock up some food, too. Happy planting."
He led his companions to the road, and said, "Now, we need to get back to Olgai."